US officials are asking the war-torn nation to clearly outline its combat objectives for requesting expanded use of US-supplied long-range missiles.

Ukraine has stated that it plans to use the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), which has a range of 300 kilometers (186 miles), to strike Russian airfields, command centers, and weapons depots deep in enemy territory.

President Joe Biden’s administration currently allows Kyiv to use the weapon only for strikes within Russian-occupied territories in Ukraine.

US officials remain skeptical that lifting the restrictions would have a significant impact on the war, noting that it may also come with greater risks.

Growing Pressure

The US has been facing increasing pressure from NATO allies to allow Kyiv greater freedom to hit targets inside Russia to level the battlefield.

Moscow’s forces have been using long-range aircraft, missiles, and drones to attack Ukraine, quickly gaining the upper hand in the ongoing war.

Washington has expressed concerns that doing so would further escalate the war and allow Russia to reverse-engineer some of America’s most sophisticated weapons.

It has also argued that the Ukrainian military is already using long-range drones to strike deep into Russia, which is a cheaper and more strategic method than firing costly missiles.

Additionally, the White House downplayed the capabilities of its ATACMS, stating they would be ineffective now because Moscow has likely moved its most immediate threats to facilities beyond the missile’s range.

“I don’t believe one capability is going to be decisive, and I stand by that comment,” US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin affirmed.

Russian Warning

Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that any strikes using Western weapons deep inside its territory will lead to a significant change in the nature of the conflict.

He said such a move would be viewed as an escalation of the war, making the US and its NATO allies directly involved.

“And if this is so, then, bearing in mind the change in the very essence of this conflict, we will make appropriate decisions based on the threats that will be created for us,” Putin told reporters.

The post US Seeks Clarity From Ukraine on Expanded Use of Long-Range Weapons appeared first on The Defense Post.

In an interview with CNN’s Fareed Zakaria, the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine explained that army units are struggling to fend off devastating Russian attacks due to being under-equipped.

He emphasized that Kyiv needs at least 14 fully-equipped brigades “to be ready,” but recent military aid packages were not enough to sufficiently arm even a third of that.

“We need to equip 14 brigades — we still don’t have it. Out of this package, we have not even equipped four brigades… Therefore, we need to produce drones domestically. It’s not enough, but we have done it,” Zelensky stated.

Ukraine is continuing its surprise incursion into Russia’s Kursk region, but reports suggest Moscow is preparing to mount a counter-offensive.

‘We Used All We Could’

Zelensky noted that an eight-month hiatus in US military aid had significantly depleted Ukraine’s weapons reserves.

He was referring to a $61-billion supplemental aid bill for Kyiv that had been stalled in the US Congress until April 2024.

The president explained that the Ukrainian Armed Forces “had used everything they had” to defend themselves from Russian assaults.

“We transferred everything that was in the stockpiles – in warehouses and in reserve brigades,” he said. “We took everything [we] had – all [our] weapons.”

‘Make Ukraine Strong’

Zelensky argued that the number of brigades protecting Ukraine’s territories is irrelevant if “half of them are not equipped.”

He pointed out that Kyiv’s forces lack armored vehicles and artillery shells, with the Russians firing 12 times more rounds than Ukrainian troops.

He also challenged Western nations to make Ukraine strong to see Russian President Vladimir Putin “sit down and negotiate.”

The post Zelensky Says Western Aid ‘Can’t Even Equip 4 of 14’ Ukrainian Brigades appeared first on The Defense Post.

According to two European diplomats who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity, Kyiv initially requested that Washington allow the use of its ATACMS, or Army Tactical Missile System, to strike Russian airfields housing glide bomb-carrying warplanes.

However, US National Security Advisor John Kirby argued that the requested targets are well beyond the missile’s effective range, which is only 300 kilometers (186 miles).

“We’ve done the math on this — 90% of them (Russian airfields) lie outside 300 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, deep inside Russia,” he noted.

As a result, the sources said Kyiv revised its target list to focus on Russian military command centers, fuel and weapons depots, and troop concentrations, hoping to persuade the US to permit strikes deeper into enemy territory.

‘Working That Out’

While Kirby already indicated there will be no change in US policy regarding the weapons it supplied to Ukraine, President Joe Biden has hinted at the possibility of authorizing it amid Moscow’s increasing aggression.

He told reporters last week, “We’re working that out right now,” after his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky repeatedly called for the restrictions to be lifted.

Biden also recently met with newly installed UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to discuss the matter, signaling openness to consider Kyiv’s persistent request.

Meanwhile, some US officials are skeptical about the impact of granting Ukraine greater freedom to use Western weapons.

They argued that Moscow has likely moved its most immediate threats to facilities beyond the range of US-supplied missiles.

Additionally, they noted that Kyiv already uses kamikaze drones for deep strikes into Russia, which are significantly cheaper than the ATACMS or other long-range weapons.

The post Ukraine Revises ATACMS Target List After US Downplays Capability appeared first on The Defense Post.

Last year, the United States had made the release of part of this annual aid conditional on progress being made on respecting human rights in Egypt, a country where ruler Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has been accused of suppressing dissent.

This year, however, the State Department said Egypt had made “progress” in certain areas of human rights. It also explicitly mentioned Cairo’s help in mediating between Israel and Palestinian armed group Hamas on the war in Gaza.

“This decision is important to advancing regional peace and Egypt’s specific and ongoing contributions to US national security priorities, particularly to finalize a ceasefire agreement for Gaza,” a State Department spokesman said.

The United States, Egypt, and Qatar are parties to the negotiations for the release of the hostages held by Hamas since its attack on Israel on October 7, and on the cessation of a subsequent Israeli military operation in Gaza that has killed tens of thousands.

The State Department spokesperson also spoke of Egypt’s role “in promoting a ceasefire in Sudan,” where a civil war has been raging for more than 16 months.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the budget allocation in a memo to Congress, as required by US law.

Washington regularly criticizes Egypt’s human rights record and has conditioned part of its annual military aid. Last year, Washington suspended around $95 million in aid on the grounds of human rights concerns.

Since 2022, Egyptian President Sisi has relaunched a “national dialogue” and released hundreds of political prisoners, but human rights activists say at least three times as many people have been arrested in the same period.

A key US ally, Egypt still holds tens of thousands of political prisoners, many of whom live in extremely harsh conditions, according to NGOs.

“In certifying that Egypt has fulfilled the conditions, the United States is acknowledging steps the Egyptians have already taken” on human rights, the State Department spokesperson said.

They cited draft legislation on judicial reforms and the release of more than 950 political prisoners since September 2023, among other steps.

The post US Releases $1.3 Billion in Military Aid to Egypt appeared first on The Defense Post.

The announcement marks the first reported destruction of an F-16 in Ukraine, just weeks after Kyiv began taking delivery of the supersonic aircraft.

“F-16 fighters of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were used to repel a missile attack on the territory of Ukraine by the Russian Federation, along with units of anti-aircraft missile troops,” the Ukrainian army said.

“During the approach to the next target, communication with one of the planes was lost. As it turned out later, the aircraft crashed, killing the pilot,” it added.

Official Statement: F-16s in Ukraine! pic.twitter.com/llTh7QQoy5

— Ukrainian Air Force (@KpsZSU) August 4, 2024

It did not identify the pilot, but a unit of Ukraine’s air force said one of its pilots, Oleksiy Mes, had died in a crash on Monday while repelling a Russian air attack.

“On 26 August, while repelling a Russian massive combined missile and air strike, Oleksiy destroyed three cruise missiles and one attack drone,” Ukraine’s Western air command unit said.

“Oleksiy saved Ukrainians from deadly Russian missiles. Unfortunately, at the cost of his own life,” it said.

The announcements come as a blow to Ukraine, which had long relied on a fleet of aging Soviet-era MIG-29 and Sukhoi jets and had asked for the F-16s to defend against intense Russian aerial bombardment.

Moscow fired a wave of attack drones and missiles at Ukraine on Monday this week in what President Volodymyr Zelensky called one of the “largest” attacks of Russia’s two-and-a-half year invasion.

The post Ukraine Says US-Made F-16 Fighter Jet Crashed, Killing Pilot appeared first on The Defense Post.

The first MaxxPros were sent via a US Air Force C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft to the Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince.

Alongside the vehicles, Washington will also deliver 34 Overhead Gunner Protection Kits to boost the fleet’s protection and tactical field of view as well as corresponding equipment, supplies, parts, and repair and maintenance services.

SOUTHCOM noted that the incoming armored vehicles will be integrated into the MSS’ existing fleet of 10 MRAPS prepared in May 2024 and delivered two months later.

The initiative is part of the Pentagon’s continuing assistance to the Caribbean Community-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) for Haiti mission in response to widespread gang violence in the country.

RELEASE: Department Of Defense to Deliver Additional MRAPS, Turrets for the MSS Mission In Haiti

At the direction of U.S. Southern Command, U.S. Air Force C-17 cargo aircraft will deliver additional Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) MaxxPro vehicles to Toussaint Louverture… pic.twitter.com/u31FQjN3Jg

— U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) August 23, 2024

US Military Aid to Haiti

The project to hand over the vehicles comes after US President Joe Biden’s approval of a Presidential Drawdown Authority for Haiti last April.

The White House certified the decision to conform with a UN Security Council resolution in October 2023 aiming to “support the efforts of the Haitian National Police to re-establish security in Haiti and build security conditions conducive to holding free and fair elections.”

Among the commitments are the contribution of personnel, equipment, and necessary financial and logistic resources.

To date, the US government has provided $300 million to the Haitian MSS contingent.

The MaxxPro Armored Fighting Vehicle

The MaxxPro MRAP is a 23.5-foot (7.1-meter) system developed to secure warfighters against land mines, improvised explosive devices, and ballistic arms.

The 4×4 vehicle is operated by up to seven personnel and can carry approximately 11,150 pounds (5,057 kilograms) of payload.

It is equipped with a 375-horsepower Navistar diesel engine and Allison 5-speed automatic transmission for a range of approximately 248 miles (400 kilometers) and a speed of 62 miles (100 kilometers) per hour.

The post US to Deliver More MaxxPro Armored Vehicles to Kenyan Warfighters in Haiti appeared first on The Defense Post.

The Russian diplomat described as “goading” the continuing refusal of the US to permit Kyiv the use of American-made weapons for strikes deep into enemy territory.

He claimed that the US government is laying the ground for a decision to simply remove all the existing restrictions without much thought.

“The current administration behaves like a person who extends one hand and holds a dagger behind their back with another one,” Antonov said, referring to the government of President Joe Biden.

He also said a serious dialogue between the two military superpowers will only happen if Washington ends its “hostile policy” towards Russia, including its support for Ukraine and the sanctions it imposed against Moscow.

‘Critical for Ukraine’

Ukraine has long been calling on its allies to give carte blanche on the use of their donated weapons inside Russia.

Though most have heeded the plea, Washington remains reluctant to allow greater use of the weapons it supplied due to concerns that doing so would only escalate the conflict.

The US temporarily eased restrictions in May, but only to defend the under-fire Kharkiv region.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said it is critical for Kyiv to be given greater freedom in the use of Western weapons to destroy military targets deeper inside Russia.

“It is equally important to be able to destroy military targets in Russia’s rear with Western long-range weapons. This is perhaps the only way to protect our people from glide bombs and other destructive airstrikes,” he explained.

Ukraine’s forces are now in the third week of their surprise offensive in Russia’s Kursk region.

The post Russia Believes US Will Soon Scrap Limits on Donated Weapons to Ukraine appeared first on The Defense Post.

The American official, who requested anonymity, told Reuters that the initial delivery has been “completed.”

Lithuania’s Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis also celebrated the milestone, saying the “impossible” can become “totally possible” for Ukraine.

F-16s in Ukraine. Another impossible thing turned out to be totally possible.

— Gabrielius Landsbergis (@GLandsbergis) July 31, 2024

It was not immediately clear how many F-16s arrived, but the war-torn nation is expected to receive a total of 20 by the end of the year.

In August 2023, Washington gave the greenlight for the transfer of F-16s to Ukraine from Denmark and the Netherlands. Copenhagen promised 19 jets to Kyiv, while Amsterdam said it would donate 24.

Belgium and Norway also vowed to donate 30 and six F-16s, respectively.

‘Not a Turning Point’

Earlier this week, a senior US official said Washington agreed to increase the lethality of Ukraine-bound F-16s by arming them with advanced weapons.

The move aims to further strengthen Kyiv’s air defense capabilities and allow the jets to effectively shield the country’s population centers from Moscow’s attacks.

Nevertheless, defense analysts maintain that the aircraft alone will not be a “turning point” in the war.

They argue that it will be difficult for Ukrainian forces to operate the advanced warplanes in areas heavily defended by Russia.

Russian Response

Following reports of the F-16’s arrival in Ukraine, Russian spokesman Dmitry Peskov said their forces are ready to shoot the US-built warplanes down.

He also claimed that the jets would have no significant impact on the war.

“These deliveries will not be able to significantly influence the dynamics of events at the front,” he stressed. “These planes will appear and gradually their number will decrease; they will be shot down and destroyed.”

Peskov disclosed that rewards have been offered for soldiers who can neutralize an F-16.

The post First F-16 Fighter Jets Arrive in Ukraine: Officials appeared first on The Defense Post.

A senior US official recently told The Wall Street Journal that the warplanes will feature the AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM), which has an effective range of more than 20 miles (32 kilometers).

The weapon can effectively neutralize low-altitude targets, thanks to its active radar with an inertial reference unit and micro-computer system that make the missile less dependent on the aircraft’s fire control system.

Additionally, the Ukrainian F-16s will reportedly receive Raytheon’s AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles for short-range air-to-air engagements.

The weapons boast infrared homing guidance to ensure precision strikes in electronically challenged environments such as Ukraine.

“We are confident that we will be able to supply all of those (weapons), at least the critical volumes that they need,” the US official said.

No Timeline Disclosed

In addition to the AMRAAM and Sidewinder, the source said the Ukraine-bound aircraft could be fitted with AGM-88 HARM anti-radiation missiles and Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) that turns unguided bombs into “smart” weapons.

These weapons are already familiar to the Ukrainian Armed Forces as they have been using them to bolster the country’s ground defenses.

For security reasons, the senior official did not say when exactly the F-16s will arrive in Kyiv.

Earlier reports indicate that an initial batch is expected to arrive this summer and the Ukrainian Air Force will receive up to 20 F-16s by the end of the year.

With the aircraft’s arrival imminent, concerns are mounting that the warplanes could become an obvious target for Russia and put towns near major air bases at risk.

The post US to Arm Ukraine’s F-16s With Advanced Weapons: Report appeared first on The Defense Post.

But a major airbase across the Sluch river has put the town firmly in Russia’s sights – and locals fear the imminent arrival of F-16 fighter jets in Ukraine will only intensify the bombardments.

“We’re super nervous about the arrival of the F-16s. If they park them here, the number of attacks will only go up,” said Olena Shpachenko, a guide at the town’s history museum, located inside the 17th-century castle.

Kyiv says the advanced US-made fighters, some already being transferred to Ukraine, will help it better protect its skies and compete with Russia for air superiority.

Russia has intensified its bombing of Ukrainian air bases – including Starokostiantyniv, home to the Seventh Tactical Aviation Bridge – and pledged to target F-16s.

In a show of force earlier this month, Moscow hit three Ukrainian airfields in as many days.

“From here, we have a good view of the explosions,” said Shpachenko, gesturing out of the castle window.

“We hear them as if we were right there,” she told AFP.

For more than two years, she has watched the enemy’s explosive drones and supersonic missiles pepper the sky at night. 

Pointing to a row of partially damaged ancient religions icons hanging over her desk, she said the air base was “so close, the missiles can make it all the way over here.” 

‘Prime Target’

Ukraine and its Western partners have not given any official indication of where the F-16s will be based.

A Western defense industry source told AFP the Starokostiantyniv airfield – equipped with Soviet-era partially underground shelters – is an ideal candidate. 

Residents, used to the roar of jets even before the war, say tensions in the city are ratcheting up.

“The authorities held a large-scale exercise in the event of a nuclear strike. They believe the base is a prime target for Moscow,” said Shpachenko.

“We pray that the F-16s don’t wind up here,” she added, looking anxiously outside once more.

Even if Ukraine’s air defenses intercept Russian missiles targeting the base, “debris will rain down on the city,” she feared.

She has forbidden her daughters from playing outside.

‘Cluster Munitions’

Despite being hundreds of kilometers from the front lines, the war literally hangs over the town that locals call “Starkon.”

The smell of powder and kerosene punctuate the air and the sky is strewn with black contrails left behind by the jets.

Large tanks of jet fuel are hidden in the surrounding woods, where groups of soldiers were playing cards in a moment of respite.

The town’s lights are turned off at night and the troops scour the sky, ready to shoot down drones with machine guns. 

Anatoliy, the commander of a mobile anti-aircraft unit, said Russia had stepped up attacks over the past month.

“The Russians are now using cluster munitions with the aim of damaging the jets on the ground,” he said, puffing on a cigarette.

The explosives can target areas covering thousands of square meters with a single drop.

Asked if he thought the escalation was due to the possible arrival of the F-16s, Anatoliy hesitated, before smiling: “The Russians, those fools, will never guess where they are.”

‘I’m Not Moving’

The war has also taken its toll on the town’s previously vibrant tourism industry.

“The soldiers, the attacks… it discourages people from coming. We’ve even had drone debris fall on the beach,” Shpachenko said.

One family of vacationers “heard a plane flying close to the ground, dropped their stuff and ran to the castle,” she said.

Many of the Ukrainians who came to Starokostiantyniv after fleeing their homes in the east left as soon as they heard the first roar of a fighter plane.

“The desire to survive is stronger than the need for rest,” said Shpachenko.

Despite the danger, some locals were outside, relaxing in the shade of the weeping willows or on the small beach.

Valery, in his 70s, has been here so long he knows the engine noises of the different planes by heart. 

He still goes for a morning swim in the river at the foot of the castle every day.

“I’m afraid of the arrival of the F-16s. I don’t know what will happen to the city if they end up here,” he said.

“Whatever happens, I’m not moving.”

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